Life Trockenrasen: Creation of raw soil

Topsoil removal

Dry grassland thrive on warm, sandy, nutrient-poor soils. Due to reforestation and the spread of trees, however, these are often covered with nutrient-rich coniferous litter and foliage, which in turn encourages the growth of grasses such as barren bromegrass.

By removing the topsoil, the original sandy soil is revealed again. This allows the typical plant species of dry grassland to germinate. 

Soil inversion

Another option for creating raw soil is soil inversion. During this process, the first layer of soil is replaced with the layer below.